There’s just something incredibly satisfying about a wrap packed with bold flavors and textures—and that’s exactly what makes my Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe such a winner. The juicy, spicy chicken paired with a crunchy, tangy slaw and creamy blue cheese hits all the right notes every single time.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly adore this Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe because it’s not just flavorful, but incredibly simple—and who doesn’t want an easy meal that feels like a treat? The spicy, charred chicken combined with crisp, fresh slaw keeps each bite exciting and fresh.
- Bold, balanced flavors: The marinade has a smoky, spicy punch softened by honey and tangy lemon to create a perfect flavor harmony.
- Crisp texture contrast: Crunchy cabbage and tart apples in the slaw offer a refreshing bite against the spicy chicken.
- Speedy but impressive: Ready in just 35 minutes, it feels like a restaurant meal without the fuss.
- Customizable and crowd-pleasing: Easily doubled for a group or tweaked for your heat preferences and dietary needs.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of these Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe comes from blending smoky, spicy chicken with a zesty, crisp slaw. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in texture and flavor, making shopping for them the first fun step.
- Hot sauce:The backbone of the marinade; I use Frank’s RedHot for that classic buffalo heat, but feel free to adjust based on your heat tolerance.
- Honey:Adds a subtle sweetness to balance the spice and smokiness perfectly.
- Olive oil:Helps the spices and hot sauce coat the chicken evenly and crisps it nicely in the oven.
- Lemon juice:Fresh lemon juice brightens the marinade and slaw, cutting through richness for balance.
- Ground cumin:Brings an earthy depth to the chicken, adding complexity beyond just heat.
- Smoked paprika:Key for that smoky, char-grilled flavor even if you’re using the oven.
- Salt:Essential to enhance all the other flavors and seasons both chicken and slaw.
- Chicken thighs:Juicy and tender, thighs stay moist and soak up marinade better than breasts.
- White cabbage:The crunch base for the slaw, shredded finely to mix well with dressing and apples.
- Apples:I use crisp varieties julienned thin; their sweetness and texture contrast beautifully with spicy chicken.
- White wine vinegar:Brings acidity to the slaw, balancing the creamy aioli and spicy chicken.
- Garlic aioli:Or mayo/Greek yogurt—adds creaminess and flavor to the sauce that ties everything together.
- Wraps:Soft, pliable flatbreads work best—not too thick to overpower, just a perfect vessel.
- Blue cheese:Crumbled on top, this adds creamy tang and richness that cuts through the heat.
- Scallions:For a fresh, mild oniony note and a pop of color.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your taste buds or what you have in your fridge. Don’t hesitate to play around with toppings or adjust the spice level—it’s your meal after all!
- Variation: I’ve swapped chicken thighs for crispy tofu for a vegetarian take, marinating it the same way—delicious and just as satisfying.
- Heat level: If you like extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne or drizzle more hot sauce on the wrap before rolling.
- Make it lighter: Use Greek yogurt instead of aioli for a tangier, lower-fat sauce.
- Seasonal twists: Swap apples for julienned carrots or pears during fall for a different crunch and flavor profile.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe
Step 1: Marinate & Prepare Chicken for Roasting
The marinade is where all the flavor lives, so take a minute to whisk together hot sauce, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Toss the diced chicken thighs thoroughly so they’re evenly coated. Don’t skimp on spreading them out on a baking tray—this ensures they roast rather than steam, getting those irresistible charred edges.
Step 2: Make the Spicy Slaw
While the chicken roasts, shred cabbage finely and julienne apples super thin. Toss these with lemon juice, white wine vinegar, a pinch of salt, and a dash of hot sauce—this slaw is fresh, zesty, and bright. I often sample a little here to keep the balance just right between tangy and spicy.
Step 3: Whip up the Buffalo Aioli Sauce
Mix one tablespoon of your hot sauce with garlic aioli (or mayo or Greek yogurt) until smooth. This creamy sauce brings everything together and adds a lovely cooling contrast. Taste it, and add a touch more hot sauce if you want a little extra pop.
Step 4: Assemble Your Wraps
Spread a generous spoonful of the buffalo aioli on your flatbread, then pile on the spicy slaw. Layer the roasted chicken on top, including any flavorful pan juices. Finish with crumbled blue cheese and sliced scallions for that perfect creamy, tangy, fresh finish. Roll up snugly and get ready for deliciousness!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned that a few little tricks make this Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe truly shine and save you headaches in the kitchen. These tips come straight from my own kitchen experiments and friend feedback.
- Don’t overcrowd the chicken: Giving the chicken room on the baking tray is the secret to those perfect crispy, charred edges you crave.
- Taste and adjust the slaw: The balance of acidity and spice in the slaw makes a big difference, so don’t be shy to tweak lemon, vinegar, or hot sauce as you mix.
- Use good quality blue cheese: It really elevates the wrap; even a little sprinkle adds that creamy tang that pairs beautifully with spicy chicken.
- Warm your wraps: Briefly heating them before assembling makes them more pliable and less likely to tear when rolling.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my wraps with a sprinkle of chopped scallions for a fresh bite and a little extra crumbled blue cheese if I’m feeling indulgent. If you like a bit more heat, a few sliced pickled jalapeños go wonderfully here too.
Side Dishes
For sides, I often serve these wraps with sweet potato fries or a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil to keep things bright. Sometimes a bowl of crunchy pickles adds a fun tangy contrast too.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve hosted casual get-togethers where I slice the wraps into pinwheels for easy finger food. They’re perfect appetizer bites, especially piled on a pretty platter alongside some rustic dips.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover chicken and slaw separate in airtight containers in the fridge. This way, the slaw stays crisp and the chicken holds its juicy texture. Wraps tend to get soggy if stored assembled, so I always assemble fresh when possible.
Freezing
The chicken can be frozen cooked and marinated, but the slaw doesn’t freeze well because of the fresh crunch. Freeze chicken in portions to defrost as needed for quick meal prep.
Reheating
I reheat the chicken in a hot skillet or under the broiler to bring back some char and crispiness. I always warm the wraps separately. Then I assemble fresh with slaw and sauce for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Swap the regular wraps for gluten-free tortillas or flatbreads, and make sure your hot sauce and other ingredients are gluten-free. The rest of the recipe remains the same, so you won’t lose any flavor.
I recommend chicken thighs because they stay juicy and soak up the marinade beautifully. You can use chicken breasts, but they may dry out a bit faster. If you prefer breasts, keep a close eye on cooking time to avoid overcooking.
Yes! You can marinate and cook the chicken a day ahead, store the slaw ingredients prepped but undressed separately, and mix the dressing when you’re ready to serve. Assemble the wraps just before eating for the freshest taste and texture.
This recipe has a mild to moderate heat level, mainly from the hot sauce and smoked paprika. You can always ramp it up by adding extra hot sauce or cayenne to the marinade or slaw. Conversely, reducing the hot sauce will tone things down while keeping the flavor balance intact.
Final Thoughts
I really hope you give this Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe a try—it’s become one of my go-to meals when I want something flavorful, fresh, and fuss-free. Wrapped up in a soft flatbread with crunchy, tangy slaw and savory blue cheese, every bite brings such a satisfying mix of textures and bold flavors. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become a fast favorite whether it's a quick weeknight dinner or casual weekend lunch with friends!
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Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Spicy Slaw Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Buffalo Chicken Wraps feature sweet and spicy charred chicken thighs coated in a flavorful hot sauce marinade, paired with a crunchy cabbage and apple slaw, creamy blue cheese, and a zesty Buffalo aioli, all wrapped in soft flatbreads. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal any day of the week, easy to prep ahead and great for sharing.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- ¼ cup hot sauce (Frank's red hot sauce)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lb chicken thighs, diced
Slaw
- ½ white cabbage, shredded
- 2 apples, julienned
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Buffalo Aioli and Wrap Assembly
- ⅓ cup garlic aioli (or mayonnaise or Greek yogurt)
- 4 large wraps (two-ingredient dough flatbreads)
- ¼ cup creamy blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 scallions, finely sliced
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Marinade: Heat your oven to 480F/250C fan and line an oven tray with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine ¼ cup hot sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix well to combine.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the diced chicken thighs to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat. Spread the chicken evenly on the prepared oven tray to ensure even cooking and char.
- Cook Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until deeply red and charred around the edges.
- Prepare Slaw: While the chicken cooks, combine the shredded cabbage, julienned apples, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, and ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl. Toss well and set aside.
- Make Buffalo Aioli: Mix 1 tablespoon of the hot sauce with ⅓ cup garlic aioli (or mayonnaise or Greek yogurt). Taste and adjust the heat by adding more hot sauce if desired.
- Assemble Wraps: Spread a generous spoonful of Buffalo aioli onto each wrap. Layer on the cabbage and apple slaw, then spoon on the charred Buffalo chicken along with some cooking juices for extra flavor.
- Top and Serve: Crumble creamy blue cheese over the chicken and scatter finely sliced scallions on top. Roll up the wraps and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use two-ingredient flatbreads for soft, pillowy wraps that hold the filling well.
- Apple adds a nice sweet crunch to balance the spicy chicken; green or tart apples work best.
- Buffalo aioli can be customized—try Greek yogurt for a lighter option or mayonnaise for creamier texture.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated before assembling wraps.
- Adjust the hot sauce amount to your preferred spice level for the marinade and aioli.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep and feeding a crowd.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 wrap
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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